Residents of an apartment building in Sydney’s affluent eastern suburbs have remembered a 90-year-old woman, who was allegedly killed by her grandson, as a “nice, quiet” neighbour.
Valentina Spivak was allegedly attacked inside her unit on Chambers Avenue, Bondi Beach, at about 5.15pm on Saturday.
Those living nearby said they were stunned by the death and recalled Ms Spivak as a gentle, private woman.
Caroline Engesser said the grandmother would often play traditional Russian opera, with the music drifting from her modest apartment through the building.
“She seemed pretty nice,” Ms Engesser said.
Neighbour George Clifton said he had never heard anything negative about Ms Spivak.
“Nothing bad to say about her, to be honest,” he said. “She was a nice woman.”
Police found Ms Spivak inside her home suffering from multiple stab wounds to her torso and throat. Officers attempted CPR, but she could not be revived.
Valentina Spivak (above) died after allegedly being stabbed multiple times in the torso and throat
Ms Spivak’s grandson, Sergei Mitnik (pictured during his arrest), has been accused of killing her inside her Bondi Beach unit
Her grandson, Sergei Mitnik, was taken into custody at the scene.
The 47-year-old has since been charged with murder in a domestic violence-related matter.
During a bail hearing on Sunday, Mitnik’s lawyer told the court that his client had mental health issues and was taking Ozempic.
Solicitor Javid Faiz said his client claimed the medication had affected him.
Court documents viewed by the Daily Telegraph indicate that Mitnik had been estranged from his grandmother before the alleged attack.
He allegedly went to her apartment on Saturday and remained there for about an hour before strangling and stabbing her 19 times, according to the documents.
Mitnik then allegedly called Triple Zero and requested help to “have a body removed from the location”.
He allegedly told the emergency operator that his grandmother was “being not compliant” and that he unfortunately had to call an ambulance.
Neighbours remembered Ms Spivak (above) as a “nice, quiet woman” who enjoyed listening to old Russian opera
Emergency services were called to Ms Spivak’s unit (above) at about 5.15pm on Saturday
Court documents state Mitnik hung up and turned off his phone before police arrived and that a knife was found at the scene.
The documents further state Mitnik had recently spoken to his grandmother by telephone about a Jewish holiday which she usually marked by giving relatives money.
He told the court Mitnik had an appointment scheduled with a psychologist a month ago, which had been cancelled.
Mr Faiz flagged asking in future for his client to be transferred to a mental health facility but in the meantime asked that he be assessed by two psychiatrists.
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The police prosecutor said a statement of facts referred to Mitnik making ‘some admissions’ but it did not include any detail about his mental condition.
Mitnik did not apply for bail and it was formally refused, with the judge recommending he receive any necessary treatment and be provided with medication.
Eastern Suburbs Police Area Commander, Detective Superintendent Jodi Radmore said Mitnik did not reside at Bondi and had been cooperative with police.
‘It is awful and it’s awful for the community and it’s awful to the victim’s family,’ she said.
A bail court heard Mitnik (centre) was suffering from mental health issues and taking Ozempic
Mitnik was charged with domestic violence-related murder following the alleged attack on Saturday evening
‘One alleged murder is too many… we just have to work together to do better.’
Ms Spivak was one of three women who died just hours apart in separate incidents across NSW.
Just hours after the death, the body of another woman in her 70s was found at Mole River in the state’s north.
Police were called to reports of a domestic violence incident in the regional district about 9.35pm.
Investigators believe a 37-year-old man entered a property and tried to steal a vehicle before assaulting the 74-year-old resident.
The younger man was arrested and police then went on to search the neighbouring property where they found the body of a woman in her 70s, who is yet to be formally identified.
Part of the house was damaged by fire, police said.
A crime scene has been established at both locations and an investigation launched with help from the homicide squad.
Ms Spivak’s death (above) was one of three fatal attacks on women within hours across NSW
Earlier on Saturday, a 23-year-old woman was found with critical stab wounds inside a home in Wagga Wagga, in southwestern NSW.
Emergency services were called to the home about 11.45am but the woman died at the scene. Police were told a man left the location prior to officers’ arrival.
An 18-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Wagga Wagga police station, but he was later released without charge.
About 8.30pm, a 31-year-old man was arrested at a home and taken to Wagga Wagga police station, where he remains.
All three people are believed to have known each other.
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